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Rick Hendrick Drops $1 Million on the first GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach

Apr 23, 2026

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Rick Hendrick Drops $1 Million on a first GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle at Barrett Jackson Palm Beach

Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson

Rick Hendrick can buy more than noteworthy Corvettes. Just check out this auction where the millionaire car enthusiast shelled out a cool $1 million for something other than America’s Sports Car.

At the recent Barrett‑Jackson Palm Beach auction, the NASCAR team owner and automotive titan spent his big bucks on something far more rugged than his usual VIN 001 Corvette prize: the first GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle‑Utility (ISV‑U) ever offered to the public.

Hendrick is practically synonymous with early‑build Corvettes. When a new model rolls out, he’s usually the one holding the paddle when the hammer drops. But this time, instead of chasing another sports car milestone, he turned his attention to a military‑grade machine designed for the battlefield.

The ISV‑U is a lightweight tactical vehicle engineered by GM Defense for rapid mobility in harsh environments. It’s built for soldiers, not Sunday cruises—an entirely different world from the high‑performance Corvettes that typically fill Hendrick’s collection.

The example auctioned in Palm Beach wasn’t just a production model. It carried a special livery honoring the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Medal of Honor recipients, including Kyle Carpenter and David Bellavia, were present as the vehicle crossed the block.

Every dollar of Hendrick’s winning bid goes directly to the Foundation, supporting programs that preserve the stories and legacies of America’s highest‑decorated service members. For Hendrick, the purchase was as much about the cause as the machine itself.

Hendrick’s interest in the ISV‑U isn’t entirely out of left field. His company, Hendrick Technical Solutions, supplies components for the military vehicle program. Supporting a project his own organization contributes to—and doing so in a way that benefits veterans—made the million‑dollar bid an easy decision.

While Hendrick’s Corvette acquisitions often grab headlines, this purchase stands apart. It wasn’t about securing another collectible or adding to his already legendary garage. It was about backing a mission, honoring service members, and spotlighting a vehicle built for far more than car shows.